Ad Hoc Committee urges probe into Matlala’s alleged R500,000 payment to Cele

Parliamentary committee asks law-enforcement to examine alleged cash payments and accommodation

The ad hoc committee in Parliament that is finalising its report on alleged corruption in the criminal justice system has urged law-enforcement bodies to probe a money relationship between former police minister Bheki Cele and alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The committee recommended that both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks should assess the matter and determine whether criminal action, including prosecution, may be warranted.

What the committee wants examined

Committee members pressed for access to documentary records that could shed light on the allegations. In particular, the ad hoc committee asked for:

• banking records that could corroborate or refute the claim of cash payments;
• accommodation records related to allegations of luxury stays provided by Matlala;
• assessment by prosecuting authorities to determine whether evidence reaches the threshold for criminal charges.

The recommendation to refer the claims to law-enforcement received backing from the ANC, EFF and the MK Party, reflecting cross-party agreement that the allegations require independent scrutiny.

Allegations presented to the committee

During earlier testimony to the committee, Matlala said he had paid Cele R500,000 in cash, delivered in two instalments R300,000 followed by R200,000. He told the committee he had been seeking political assistance in relation to police action involving his business interests. Matlala also alleged that Cele had received luxury accommodation from one of his hotels.

Those claims remain allegations. The ad hoc committee noted that the matters were not proven in court, and that Cele has disputed the asserted nature of his relationship with Matlala.

Responses and statements recorded by the committee

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said the seriousness of the allegations warranted referral to appropriate authorities. The ad hoc committee recorded a submission from the ANC urging investigative agencies to probe the specific allegations concerning the relationship between Cele and Matlala.

“The ANC submitted that the appropriate investigative authorities should investigate allegations concerning Cele’s relationship with Matlala,”

In his testimony, Cele rejected descriptions of a close association. The committee recorded Cele’s statement on the matter:

“I do not have a friend called Cat.”

MK Party committee member David Skosana framed the inquiry in criminal-law terms, saying the focus should include the question of bribery as distinct from other possible offences.

“Maybe extortion might not be correct, but the issue of bribery is correct,”

Why banking and accommodation records matter

Records such as bank statements and hotel bookings are commonly sought in investigations of alleged improper payments and benefits because they can provide corroboration or contradiction of verbal claims. Where cash payments are alleged, investigators typically look for related contemporaneous entries, deposits, withdrawals, travel or accommodation invoices and any third-party confirmations that can link individuals to the claimed transactions.

Referral to the NPA and Hawks would prompt those authorities to evaluate available evidence and decide on investigatory steps, such as tracing financial flows or subpoenaing records. The committee’s recommendation is a procedural step that asks specialised agencies to apply their investigative mandates.

Context inside the wider inquiry

The recommendation concerning Cele and Matlala is part of the ad hoc committee’s broader work into allegations of corruption within the criminal justice system. The panel’s report is described as nearing finalisation, and this referral forms one of several outcomes the committee is considering as it concludes its inquiry.

Separately, the committee’s work noted wider scrutiny of Matlala’s relationships with senior police figures and raised questions connected to a controversial SAPS healthcare contract that is linked to Matlala’s company, Medicare24. The committee’s referral asks prosecuting and investigative authorities to determine whether any of the claims amount to unlawful gratification, bribery or other criminal conduct.

What comes next

With the committee’s recommendation made, the next step is for the NPA and the Hawks to consider the material referred to them and decide on any investigative action. If those agencies find sufficient evidence, they could open formal investigations or pursue prosecutions; if not, they may decline to take further action. The ad hoc committee has positioned the referral as a matter for independent law-enforcement judgment rather than a parliamentary finding of criminal guilt.

Why the referral matters to the public

The committee’s decision to refer these allegations is significant for public oversight because it moves serious claims from parliamentary hearings into the domain of criminal process where independent investigators can test the evidence. For members of the public concerned about integrity in the criminal justice system, referrals to the NPA and the Hawks are the formal mechanism that can lead to verified findings, prosecutions, or exoneration, based on established investigative standards.

As the ad hoc committee completes its report, the matter will now be in the hands of prosecuting and investigative authorities to assess and, if necessary, investigate the alleged cash payments and accommodation benefits described to Parliament.